And The Weather Channel has a 7 hour time alot showing adults in their 30's and 40's crowded up.

That's only what they show though, there are a bunch of colleges near the town and they go ape shit when it comes up. Mostly use those idiots who show up as the majority of their major form of tourism revenue.

I'd lose what little faith I have in the area if people the majority of people actually believe in that shit. Pretty sure it's mostly for the tradition

Nobody claps at movies anymore unless the audience is composed of celebrities.

I don't mean to sound insensitive, and I know plenty have asked this before, but have people still not moved on from that? It was a tragedy sure, but I don't understand why people want to hold onto that fear.

I think still to this day that Americans have the idea that the US is still the safest place. I do hear a lot of Americans saying it's still the greatest country in the world to live, and even if they don't say that outright, you can see it prominently in their media, news and general social behaviour. It's a rather close minded attitude deeply rooted into the average american psyche. I could easily argue that Australia is a better place to live. Australia is great, once you get past the humongous spiders, lethal snakes and drop bears.

Well the idea that America's the greatest is from the whole immigrants building the country and coming from nothing to become something. It's pretty archaic especially considering the insane poverty that prevents many from achieving any semblance of success and basically every other first world country allows people to make something of themselves arguably better than the US. That and deeply rooted patriotism that allows people to turn a blind eye to the government and practically every other part of the world, while they continue to chant USA. So much irony in this country, but it's still a nice place to live for the most part.

In all seriousness, Australia's crime rate is lower, we have a stronger economy, purchasing power is higher, also higher average income. Life expectancy is higher, and I believe we've a lower poverty rate. Statistically speaking, Australia is better in a lot of regards. The people are friendly too I think. I've been in the US only a few times, so my experience is definitely and perspective is limited. I still remember being advised several hotel clerks to avoid certain areas of Angeles and Vegas because of the likelihood of stabbings and muggings. That's very rare (almost unheard of) in Australia; that there is a need to warn tourists away from areas due to high crime rates specifically related to stabbings.

Also, I know how most others love to point out our 'exotically dangerous' fauna, but unless you're in the middle of the desert of in the far reaches of the countryside, you're probably never going to stumble across anything life threatening.